Seems to be an influx of "job search" threads lately, so I'll chime in. ;)

I got an e-mail from a company I think I'd really enjoy working at (for a position I think I'd really love) offering a second interview next week. Has anybody had any experience with this? I've never had a second interview, so I really don't know what to expect. Any advice? I can read all the do's/don'ts on the internet, but they never seem to come from the interviewee's point of view. The only good advice I've received so far is that I need to focus in on the "weaker" aspects of my first interview, and try to strengthen my answers for those questions.

Wish me luck! :D

09-04-08, 10:38 PM

Tom Stormcrowe

If they called you back for a second interview, the job is yours to lose. They want to hire you, very likely and have maybe one or two other candidates of equal qualifications to you.

09-04-08, 10:43 PM

Tude

I was just on a couple of job search/interviews and it was more of a cutting down from a big entry down to a certain few - and we were focusing on basically how this person would really fit the position - knowledge of the company and Knowledge of the position was the focus of the 2nd interview, not so much the weaknesses ... basically more of a better dialect now that you met all people involved.

For me, the second one was the higher up interviewing me. I was good for the first one so the first interviewer recommended me. The first one weeded out the ones that would have just wasted time for the real interview.

The third one was a round-robin sort of thing. This was the most intense part. There were four other people from the company and they had me sit at a table and one by one they shot off questions to me very quickly and I had to answer them with hardly any time to think. Questions pertaining to my ideas on how to increase productivity, customer relations, goals and targets and plans for the following year.

The fourth interview it was another applicant and myself with two company people. From there we were both to inform how we were to implement those plans for the goals.

Near the end of the interview they separated us - that is when they told us our salary and the location of the facility we were to be at. At the same time I was informed that between the two of us, I was now being welcomed aboard...

I told them I couldn't take it because: At the hourly rate I currently am at, I make more with overtime and Sunday pay than what I would be working for them at salary and putting in a mandatory 60 hours per week during holiday season. (Three months)

The other guy took it.

I don't mean to scare you. This was for a pretty big company and they needed me to be head for a certain new location. Different things happen for different companies.

Good luck, April. My fingers are crossed.

09-05-08, 08:23 AM

aprilm

Thanks for the tips! :)

Siu, four interviews? If I have to go through four interviews, I'm asking for a bigger salary. :p I would think they would have told you salary range up front rather than waste everybody's time.

We'll see... I'm really looking forward to working for this company if I get the job!

09-05-08, 08:27 AM

lodi781

Bring lots of cash....don't dribble all over yourself. That being said, they'll probably hire the other guy..:p;)

09-05-08, 08:34 AM

crdean1

1 Attachment(s)

Although this is mainly geared toward a first interview, here's a good prep sheet.

Edit: On Tuesday I had a second interview as well, and I met with the VP & GC of the company (international corporation), then two of the AGC's (Associate General Counsel). It was a bit nervous, but I found that I did better each interview. By the end, I was flying through it.

I would recommend meeting a friend for breakfast, or lunch (before the interview) and having that friend prep you by asking the hard questions. This will get your mind turning, and you will be comfortable and 'warmed up' by the time you meet with the exec/manager.

09-05-08, 08:42 AM

green814

If I remember right, my wife has had a total of 5 interviews before for a company. That includes the initial phone interview with the recruiter that had called. My wife works in the Ins. industry as rep who calls on the Independant agents.

Good luck!
Chris

09-05-08, 08:51 AM

artifice

I didn't read all the other advice (short attention span today) sorry if this is a repeat.

My experience is that the do's and dont's and practice questions really hose me up- I get set on a "rehearsed response" and if I sidetrack during the interview I get tongue-tied. Its obviously a personal preference, but I'm much better flying by the seat of my pants.

With that in mind, one of the best things you can do is really get to know the company. Know their value statement, goals, etc and formulate why you want to work with them. This will help you sell yourself in the same language they speak. Your passion will carry through and make you a strong interviewee.

09-05-08, 10:34 AM

cohophysh

My company has started conducting second interviews to see how the person fits in with the group. We have let go of a couple people because they weren't a good fit personality wise and they had only gone through one interview. Just relax, be yourself, think before you speak, and speak with confidence.

09-05-08, 11:00 AM

thomson

April, I think the purpose of the 2nd interview depends on the nature of the 1st. Did you speak with just technical people on the first? The 2nd may be administration. Was the first just HR and management? The 2nd may be coworkers. etc.

The number of people are called back for the 2nd interview indicates your standing. If it is just you, then Tom hit it on the head, it is yours to lose, in other words, just don't do anything to get yourself bounced. If it is a bunch of people, you still need to demonstrate you are the best fit. The number of people called back is not an answer that is easily found.

09-05-08, 11:51 AM

SpongeDad

While you need to have explanation as to why you're leaving current position, focusing on that too much can be a negative.

Frankly its atmosphere that drives a lot of hiring decisions. If I like someone, and they come across as smart, energetic and hard working, that goes a long long way.

09-05-08, 01:17 PM

aprilm

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeDad

Frankly its atmosphere that drives a lot of hiring decisions. If I like someone, and they come across as smart, energetic and hard working, that goes a long long way.

I'm banking on that. I'm pretty sure I came across as smart and professional in the first interview, and I have the skills they need for this position. I do have some "weaknesses", but I don't think I've come across a job where I didn't have something to improve upon.

In his e-mail, he said I'm on the "short list", so I'm assuming I'm not the only one. The guy that's doing the hiring seemed to be pretty pleased with me, though. We'll see!

09-05-08, 01:56 PM

MTBLover

Good luck, April- this is a good position to be in, obviously. Like thomson said, the purpose of the second interview depends on what was covered in the first (usually). And be prepared- you might have a third interview (or even a fourth or fifth)- especially if some key person they wanted you to talk to had to be out when you come in. Happens all the time.

Just be happy that you're not interviewing for a university faculty job- these typically are three to five sets of interviews, each set being at least one, usually two or even three full days (like 8am through post-dinner, say 10 or 11pm). You have to give at least one talk, meet with at least five or six people each day, put on a happy face for lunch and dinner meetings, and engage in sparkling conversation with each and every person you meet, talking about exactly the same thing every single time. Ugh. It's a hell of a way to make a living!